In May, members of the Ravenswood School for Girls community came together to reminisce and celebrate the ‘shared sisterhood’ of Ravenswood Boarders and the indelible legacy they have left on the School since they were first welcomed at Ravenswood 90 years ago.
To mark the 90th anniversary of boarding at Ravenswood, Principal Dr Anne Johnstone welcomed past and present Boarders and Boarding staff on campus, and celebrated with a high tea, a campus tour and a visit to the boarding Ravenswood Residential College (RRC).
Commencing in 1935 with the Boarding house ‘Sunnyside’, Ravenswood accepted two initial Boarders – Peggy Scarlett (Cameron, 1936), aged 16, and Violet Drew (Hall, 1946), aged 6. The establishment of boarding was due to the efforts of Reverend Frank Hynes, Principal of Ravenswood Methodist Ladies’ College from 1934 to 1948 and Chair of School Council during Headmistress Kathleen Crago’s era. Since then, the RRC has blossomed into an award-winning boarding school for 50 Boarders. Since 1939, Ravenswood has welcomed students from regional NSW, interstate and around the world. With strong ties to Papua New Guinea (PNG), China, the United Kingdom, United States, Hong Kong, Fiji, Tonga, and Thailand, among others, the RRC has long been a home away from home.
The RRC is a boutique house which offers Boarders first-class learning, with academic and award-winning programs, and was recently acknowledged with its third Excellence Award in four years (2022, 2024 and 2025) for Boarding School of the Year at the Australian Education Awards.
Director of Boarding Ms Bri Cormio proudly reflects, ‘The RRC in 2025 is thriving, filled with a spirit of sisterhood of support, love and connection. Boarders are inspired together to proudly represent the community, making the most of all opportunities Ravenswood offers. With a sense of purpose and belonging, Boarders are supported to activate their strengths and be empowered and equipped for their bright futures.’
As Ravenswood commemorates 90 years of Boarding, the School reflects not only on the tradition itself but its place at the heart of Ravenswood’s story, and on the unique sisterhood it fosters, and the family of strong, resilient women who carry the spirit of Ravenswood with them, wherever life leads.
Semper – Winter 2025
Positive Education at the heart of Ravenswood’s success
